St. Landry democrat., 1887-03-12
(Communicated)
WILLIE PLATE AND WESTERN
ST, LANDRY ON THE BOOM"
VILE PLATE, March 1st, 1887

IL L LA rs
Editor St. Landry Democrat.-Dear
Sir Il came to this quiet village some
three weeks ago on a business trip, ex-
pecting to stay a couple of weeks, and
now it is probable | shall stay couple
of months. Why? Because l ind 1t,
not only good point for my own avo-
cation. but also the centre OF thrifty
community and that thrift evidenced
by the presence of that root OF all evil
money.
Away out here in the prairie, only
finding ingress and egress, to and from
the world through Washington or Ope-
lousas, ergo that world, AS yet knows
comparatively nothing OF this thriving
town and it's exceptionally advantageous
environments. In fact with the excep-
ton of the ubiquitous drummer, ana
the houses he represents In New VI
leans, it ia doubtful, If the world ever
heard of Vile Plate. But While this is
probably true, and Vile Plate might
have in the past been successtui com
petitor in somnolence with Sleepy Hol-
low. she is beginning to move and
stretch herself, evidence that she Is
about to arouse. Why is it? Whats
the matter?
I'll tell you. Little as the world may
think or know or care about 1t, there
is quite number of men out here,
who are acquainted with the world ;
| others. some have seen her; and still Il
larger number have heard of her.
| True enough some of those who have
seen her have seen but little; and many
of others who have heard, have heard
but little but the reverberatlons OF the
boom, ." BOOM" BOOM" all over the
south. have reached Vile Plate and the
surrounding country, and awakened
nearly the entire people to knowledge
and appreciation of the fact, that the
New South has entered the lists to
compete for all the prizes OF progress
and as part of that same New South
it is the duty of Vile Plate and hel
tributary country, as it vi II be thelI
pleasure and profit, TO "catch step and
| Join the grand march.
Doubtless some who read this will
"smile audibIy,' but let them; they
will shortly find that these people are
in earnest, are determined to put them
selves in communication with the
world. that the world may come and
see them; their beautiful rolling fer
tile prairies,-probdbly the most fertile
of South Western Louisiana; witt
contiguous virgin forests along the
bayous Crocodile, Chicot, Drcanne:
and Nszpiquet and that splendid pine
forest sweeping west to the Sabine
| river.
All the natural requisites are here
that can be found any where, to enconr.
age the influx of, and guarantee the
happy support of thousands of oul
! Northern and Western countrymen OIL
the trans Atlantic emigrants; but they
are hidden treasures until moderr
methods of travel communication car
be had; and to this end. the men ot
Vile Plate aided by Chicot. the Ma
nous, Crocodile, and Vile Plate anc
| Chataignier prairies not forgetting thu
corporation Of the Whitevi'le section ot
Bayou B9uf are moving for tap roac
to connect with Morrow station on thu
Texas and Pacific Rail Road via White
Vile.
To inaugurate the enterprise there
will he at an early day tournament
and grand barbecue, to bring the PEG
pie together; at which time the move
ment will crvstaliZe into a concerted
plan Of action. Sir Knights from
Opelousas will be welcome in the list
should they strike any competing
shield; and doubtless any speaker from
Opelousas, who would favor the move
ment for the development of Western
st. Landry, would be gladly listened to
Yours for progress,
SOJoTRNER